33rd Annual Swim Across America – Long Island Sound Open Water Swim Makes Waves to Fight Cancer

July 26 Open Water Swim Brings 800+ Swimmers and Volunteers to Dive Into Long Island Sound to Support Cancer Research + 8 Additional Pool Swims Support Kids Swimming for Kids

Join the 33rd annual Swim Across America – Long Island Sound open water swim to make waves to fight cancer on Saturday, July 26, 2025. This fun and inspiring event attracts more than 800 swimmers, volunteers, supporters and spectators, and is Swim Across America’s largest open water swim in the U.S. With swim lengths of 2K, 5K and 10K, plus a 1/2-mile pool swim on July 26, the swim has an event for everyone. There are also an additional eight pool swims starting June 27 and running through August 2 at area clubs that are KIDS Swimming FOR KIDS in support of pediatric cancer research. Established in 1992, Swim Across America – Long Island Sound is closing in on raising a record $30 million dollars for its local New York beneficiaries, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Columbia University Cancer Center, Cancer Support Team and Weill Cornell Medical Center. Register to swim, volunteer or donate at swimacrossamerica.org/longislandsound.

This year’s Swim Across America – Long Island Sound event includes its large open water swim on July 26, that is a point-to-point swim leaving from the Larchmont Yacht Club and swimming to the Larchmont Shore Club. There are also  additional pool swims at:

• Westchester Country Club in Rye, New York  (July 12).
• Orienta Beach Club in Mamaroneck, New York (July 19).
• Chappaqua S&T Club in Chappaqua, New York (July 20).
• Coveleigh Club in Rye, New York (July 23).
• Scarsdale Golf Club in Hartsdale, New York (July 24).
• Larchmont Shore Club in Larchmont (July 26 in conjunction with the open water swim).
• Lake Isle Club in Eastchester, New York (August 2).

Swim Across America – Long Island Sound KIDS Swimming FOR KIDS program raises funds specifically for pediatric cancer research. Only 4% of cancer funding is directed towards pediatric cancer research and Swim Across America – Long Island Sound is trying to change that by donating 20% of all proceeds from this year’s swim to pediatric cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Kids and NY Presbyterian Children’s Hospital research labs.

New this year is the addition of Dash the Dolphin, Swim Across America’s mascot, and plush toy, which will be available for a $30 donation. For every Dash the Dolphin plush toy purchased, one will be given to a pediatric cancer patient in a buy-one, give-one program and then provided to pediatric cancer patients in the New York City area through Swim Across America’s beneficiaries.

“The Swim Across America – Long Island Sound open water swim and pool swims are some of the most inspiring events you will ever attend,” said Jean Fufidio, event director with Swim Across America.  “The gathering of so many families and so many individuals who are honoring those who have been impacted by cancer, whether as a patient or survivor themselves, or to honor a loved one or friend, is an incredible thing to witness. To hear their stories and to learn about those whom cancer has touched and to experience the love and support to help others is just palpable. The feeling of wanting to make a change and to do something for those who have experienced cancer is huge.”

Fufidio also noted, “Cancer knows no boundaries. It impacts adults, young adults and children. Diagnoses of young adults globally have risen by 79%. But here’s how Swim Across America Long Island Sound is making a positive impact. A recent Time Magazine story, ‘The Race to Explain Why More Young Adults are Getting Cancer’ mentioned the ground-breaking, rectal clinical trials done by one of our very own fellow doctors, with a 100% response rate. A subsequent trial that was expanded to other gastrointestinal MMRd type cancers and published in The New England Journal of Medicine in April showed an astounding 80% success rate with immunotherapy alone – no surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. That is making an impact.”

Now in its 33rd year, Swim Across America – Long Island Sound has contributed nearly $30 million towards cancer research, resulting in FDA approved immunotherapy treatments of Keytruda, Opdivo and Yervoy. What’s more is the money raised locally stays local, providing cancer care and research grants to The Cancer Support Team, a Westchester-based home care program offering free services to patients and their families; to New York Presbyterian Children’s Hospital Pediatric Oncology Lab; to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Research Laboratories of Dr. Diaz and Dr. Kung Kids Department of Pediatrics; and to Weill Cornell Medicine Research Laboratory of Dr. Wolchok and Dr. Merghoub.

Nationally, Swim Across America has generated more than $100 million for cancer research since its founding 1987, supporting more than 60 research projects each year in 25 markets. The Long Island Sound swim is the organization’s largest event and highest fundraiser.

Please support the hundreds of swimmers and volunteers who will be making waves on Saturday, July 26, at the Swim Across America – Long Island Sound open water swim + eight pool swims from June through August that will help Swim Across America – Long Island Sound reach its 2025 $2 million goal to allocate even more dollars towards grants that are working towards a cure.

To learn more about Swim Across America – Long Island Sound or to register to swim, volunteer or donate, visit swimacrossamerica.org/longislandsound. For the July 26  Swim Across America – Long Island Sound eight pool swims this summer, register or donate at swimacrossamerica.org/longislandsound.